People

Laura Kihlström

PhD/MPH Student 

Photo of Laura Kihlstrom

Contact

Email: lkihlstrom@mail.usf.edu

Education

  • M.Sc., Agroecology, University of Helsinki, Finland

Advisor

David Himmelgreen

teaching

ANT4401 Exploring Cross-Cultural Diversity.

Research & Autobiography

I am a cultural and medical anthropologist with interests in understanding how social inequalities affect people’s everyday lives, particularly food consumption patterns, as well as how such inequalities may cause disparities in community and population health outcomes. 

Over the past five years, I have worked in several research projects related to race, food, and identity, food insecurity, and racial health disparities. I utilize both qualitative (participant observation, interviews, focus groups, photovoice) and quantitative (secondary data analysis, statistical analysis, GIS) research methods. 

With a multidisciplinary background in anthropology, public health (maternal and child health), and the natural sciences (agroecology), I highly enjoy working in multidisciplinary teams and learning from people with a different perspective.  

I strive towards conducting the type of research that not only adds to our understanding of complex social problems, but that can benefit society, whether it be through community-based research programs, co-creation of knowledge with research participants, or public writing.

Before moving to the United States for my PhD studies, I have worked internationally in Finland, Ethiopia, and the U.S. (United Nations). I am the co-author of a Finnish book on global food security and have published 30+ columns in Finnish and Swedish speaking print and online media.  

As the first person in my family to pursue a PhD, I have experienced firsthand the importance of mentorship. At USF, I’ve had the great pleasure to mentor several undergraduate and Master’s students as part of my objective in creating a more inclusive academia.